Kuala Lumpur: The Malaysian Pineapple Industry Board (LPNM) has announced that the pineapple cultivation and production area in Sarawak now stands at 2,450 hectares.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, LPNM chairman Sheikh Umar Bagharib Ali emphasized the need for comprehensive cooperation from various parties to achieve the Sarawak government's target of expanding pineapple plantations to 20,000 hectares by 2030.

Sheikh Umar stated that LPNM will continue to support and contribute to the goal of expanding pineapple cultivation. He highlighted the necessity of establishing annual growth projections to meet these expansion targets. His remarks came during a press conference following the signing of the Kenyalang Pineapple Sarawak Project agreement between JG Sarava Sdn Bhd and Mate Clove Sdn Bhd at the LPNM headquarters.

The strategic initiative aims not only to scale up pineapple cultivation in Sarawak but also to encourage active participation from industry players. Meanwhile, JG Sarava Sdn Bhd managing director Datuk Jeyarajan Sri Ramalu announced an initial investment of up to RM150 million to explore opportunities for developing the pineapple industry, which has significant potential in the state.

The project currently involves establishing a pineapple plantation with a target area of 1,000 hectares, covering regions such as Bintangor, Pulau Bunut, and Kampung Lebaan. Other areas, including Dalat, Oya, and Debak, have been identified and are undergoing land clearing for cultivation, with Mate Clove already starting work in these zones.

Datuk Jeyarajan added that the project also aims to develop a nursery to overcome the shortage of pineapple slips required for large-scale planting. The long-term goal is to expand cultivation to 12,000 hectares. In December 2023, the media reported that the Sarawak government planned to increase the pineapple plantation acreage in the state to 20,000 hectares by 2030.